Sam Cook loving life with York Knights after mid-season move

The 30-year-old’s switch to the Knights coincided with the appointment of head coach Mark Applegarth, though after having been handed a debut in their 40-0 demolition of last-placed Dewsbury Rams, he has endured a stop-start life at the club.

18th man for their historic win at Featherstone Rovers and narrow defeat to Sheffield Eagles the following week, some questioned Cook’s return to the starting line-up against Barrow, but he has now found the whitewash in each of his last two matches.

Familiar faces in Ata Hingano and Jesse Dee have helped the Kiwi adjust to life at York, and he admits he now feels at home in the city.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time here so far,” he enthused. “Thanks to Ata and Jesse who I know from Australia and New Zealand.

“They’ve welcomed me in and made me feel right at home, and I’m staying with them at one of the houses here in York. I’m really loving my time here.”

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Cook, who has turned out for the Mackay Cutters, New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights, spent the last two seasons with Albi in the French Elite League.

Moving to the country to play alongside younger brother Josh, who is also a hooker, in 2022, the pair helped the club reach this year’s Grand Final before an 8-6 defeat to Carcassonne.

He looks back on his time in France fondly but has been enjoying the switch to the Betfred Championship, which he believes is much more competitive than the rugby across the channel.

“I was playing at Albi in the French Elite 1 competition, so it’s been a good change,” said Cook with a smile.

“My brother had been there for a couple of seasons before he invited me over to play with them.

“I absolutely loved our time at Albi and I can’t speak highly enough of the club, the community, and our team over there.

“Unfortunately we got beaten in the Grand Final by Carcassonne, but it was a wonderful couple of years, and I’m really looking forward to the next couple [at York].

“The footy is somewhat similar in ways, but probably a bit more competitive here. There’s a few bigger bodies with a bit more experience, but I’m really enjoying it.”

Cook recalls watching Lesley Vainikolo and Shontayne Hape with Bradford Bulls in the early-mid 2000s. (Image: Gareth Copley/PA Archive)

As for Sunday’s opponents Bradford Bulls, Cook remembers watching some of his fellow countrymen turn out at Odsal during the club’s golden era in the early 2000s.

He explained: “Back when I was a youngster watching the Super League over in New Zealand they had a couple of Kiwi’s there – guys like Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo.

“From what I remember, they were a powerhouse Super League team. Obviously they’re in a bit of a rebuild, and they’re going good this year from what I’ve heard.

“It’s going to be a really tough task to go there and come away with the two points, but I’m sure we’ll work hard this week and do everything we can to make that happen.”